Oft dreaded, the interview is where the employer sees who you are, how you handle yourself, and how you handle stress. Ideally, it's also where you find out about the job, the working environment, and your potential co-workers. Arrive on time, or a bit early. Dress appropriately. Be polite to everyone you meet. Research the company before you arrive. This will help you tailor your questions and answers to the companies industry and direction.

Oft dreaded, the interview is where the employer sees who you are, how you handle yourself, and how you handle stress. Ideally, it's also where you find out about the job, the working environment, and your potential co-workers. Arrive on time, or a bit early. Dress appropriately. Be polite to everyone you meet. Research the company before you arrive. This will help you tailor your questions and answers to the companies industry and direction.

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The key to these questions is not necessarily that you answer them precisely, but that you show an aptitude for problem solving, and the ability to think on your feet.

The key to these questions is not necessarily that you answer them precisely, but that you show an aptitude for problem solving, and the ability to think on your feet.

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Some Tips:

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Items to Keep in Mind: (TO BE MOVED TO A SUB-TOPIC SHORTLY)

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*Dress well. If the interviewer tells you it's a business casual environment, dress to match. If it's a casual environment, you should still dress well. If it's a formal environment, anything short of a tux for men and a ballgown for women is appropriate.

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*Bring copies of your resume, letters of reference, etc. You may not be asked to see these, but it's better than not having them.

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*Be prepared for technical questions in your field.

*Be prepared for technical questions in your field.

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*Ask questions about the work.

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*Ask questions about the work.*Be wary if who you think is who. Sometimes the new potential boss could be the guy in the blue jeans that looks like the janitor. Put your best foot forward with each and every person you meet.

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*If you calm down, relax, act like you are already a part of the team, and answer questions as though you are already employed, you stand the chance of making a very positive impression. For example:

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**Instead of saying something like: “IF I was hired I would consider…”

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**Try something like: “For this type project, I would …”

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Or

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**Instead of saying something like: “I really don’t know what protocol YOU all use for projects, …”

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**Try something like: “It’s obvious that OUR company is future oriented, so I would use OUR standard protocol...”

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Or

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Items to Keep in Mind:

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Interviews are usually intended to be fairly structured, but often are adjusted depending on particular circumstances. They may include peers, managers and executives. Often they will have you meet with several different managers, any one of whom could be your potential manager.

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*Be wary if who you think is who. Sometimes the new potential boss could be the guy in the blue jeans that looks like the janitor. Put your best foot forward with each and every person you meet.

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*If they don’t have you scheduled to meet some peers, consider asking for that opportunity. You can find out some interesting things about the company, the management, and day to day operations. Phrasing your request in that fashion, will regularly get yet you the extra interview. During those interviews, be sure to maintain the same professionalism as when interviewing with managers, while exhibiting your best side of capability and team orientation – remember these folks are the ones that you will be working with most regularly. Often the input from peers weighs heavily in the final decision.

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Current revision

Oft dreaded, the interview is where the employer sees who you are, how you handle yourself, and how you handle stress. Ideally, it's also where you find out about the job, the working environment, and your potential co-workers. Arrive on time, or a bit early. Dress appropriately. Be polite to everyone you meet. Research the company before you arrive. This will help you tailor your questions and answers to the companies industry and direction.

Depending on the nature of the job, you may start with a phone interview. These can function as a technical screening. If the employer is interested in you, you'll typically be called in for one or more face to face interviews. If you're interviewing for a technical position, one or more of these may be technical interviews. Expect the interviewer to gauge the depth and breadth of your knowledge. Typically this is also your chance to meet rank and file staff, and gauge whether you like the corporate climate.

During the technical interview you may encounter so-called "Microsoft Questions". The Microsoft interviews have become legendary for asking open ended puzzlers such as:

Why are manhole covers round?

How many gas stations are there in the United States

You have a bucket of jelly beans. Some are red, some are blue, and some green. With your eyes closed, pick out 2 of a like color. How many do you have to grab to be sure you have 2 of the same?

The key to these questions is not necessarily that you answer them precisely, but that you show an aptitude for problem solving, and the ability to think on your feet.

Items to Keep in Mind: (TO BE MOVED TO A SUB-TOPIC SHORTLY)

Be prepared for technical questions in your field.

Ask questions about the work.*Be wary if who you think is who. Sometimes the new potential boss could be the guy in the blue jeans that looks like the janitor. Put your best foot forward with each and every person you meet.

If you calm down, relax, act like you are already a part of the team, and answer questions as though you are already employed, you stand the chance of making a very positive impression. For example:

Instead of saying something like: “IF I was hired I would consider…”

Try something like: “For this type project, I would …”

Or

Instead of saying something like: “I really don’t know what protocol YOU all use for projects, …”

Try something like: “It’s obvious that OUR company is future oriented, so I would use OUR standard protocol...”

Or

Interviews are usually intended to be fairly structured, but often are adjusted depending on particular circumstances. They may include peers, managers and executives. Often they will have you meet with several different managers, any one of whom could be your potential manager.

If they don’t have you scheduled to meet some peers, consider asking for that opportunity. You can find out some interesting things about the company, the management, and day to day operations. Phrasing your request in that fashion, will regularly get yet you the extra interview. During those interviews, be sure to maintain the same professionalism as when interviewing with managers, while exhibiting your best side of capability and team orientation – remember these folks are the ones that you will be working with most regularly. Often the input from peers weighs heavily in the final decision.

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